Scandal in Auckland.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 158, 2 June 1884, Page 3

Scandal m Auckland.

[By Telkguaph.j [Post Correspondent.] Auckland, May 31. A sensational report was current m town yesterday morning to the effect that a nr.mbev of human skeletons bad been found by the workmen engaged m excavating on the site of the new St. Patrick's Cathedral. The Orange newspaper insinuated that these remains included the^bodies of infants, and associated tho same with a well-known priest and the nuns who lived m the nunnery near the site. A Star reporter has made full enquiry, and has found the facts to be as follows : — ln the old days, 35 or 40 years ago, the nuns dwelt m the buildings surrounding the Cathedral m Wyndham-street. By pei mission of the Government they had a private cemetry m the grounds, and when any one of the sisters died she was interred m the enclosure, the graves being all marked. Some 20 years ago the convent at St. Mary's was built, and the nuns have since resided there. When it was proposed to construct a new nave to St Patrick's Cathedral, the relatives of some of the sisters who had been interred there requested that their remains might be reraoveil to St Mary's, as the nave would cover the site of the cemetery. Father Walter M'Donald promised to do what he could to have their wishes carried into effect, and consulted Mr J. A. Tole on the subject. Mr Tolo gave his opinion that there was nothing m the law to prevent the disinterment, but Father Walter was very anxious there should be no irregularity, so the Colonial Secretary was written to nearly a year ago, and promised to grant the necessary permission upon the names of the deceased nuns being supplied. These, numbering nine m all, were supplied, and consent to the disinterment was then forwarded. When the excavations were about to be commenced the remains were taken up and placed m a large coffiu, and removed to St. Mary's, at Ponsonby, and reinterred there.